Photoluminescent ethylene sensors
A photoluminescent polymer/transition metal complex is disclosed which is capable of selectively binding to alkenes to thereby alter the photoluminescence of the complex. In one embodiment, a poly(vinyl phenyl ketone)/Ag(I) complex is disclosed which reversibly and selectively binds with ethylene. The disclosed photoluminescent polymer/transition metal complex can be used as part of a sensor to determine the presence and/or concentration of alkenes such as ethylene.
1. A solid solution having a first photoluminescence emission profile, the solution comprising:
a transition metal capable of binding at least one alkene; and
a photoluminescent polymer having an extended conjugated moiety coordinately covalently bound to a transition metal,
wherein the solution has a distinct second photoluminescence emission profile upon coordinated interaction among the polymer, the transition metal and the at least one alkene.
2. The solid solution of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is poly(vinyl phenyl ketone).
3. The solid solution of claim 1 , wherein the transition metal is Ag(I).
4. The solid solution of claim 1 , wherein the alkene is a gaseous alkene.
5. The solid solution of claim 1 , wherein the alkene is ethylene.
6. The solid solution of 2 , wherein the alkene is ethylene.
7. A solid solution as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polymer is photoluminescent upon exposure of the solution to light at an emission-inducing wavelength.
8. A solid solution as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting ofpoly(vinyl phenyl ketone), poly(vinyl p-methoxyphenyl ketone) and poly(vinyl p-phenylphenyl ketone).
9. A sensor for sensing at least one alkene, the sensor comprising:
a solid solution having a first photoluminescence emission profile,
an irradiation source capable of directing photoluminescent emission by the solid solution; and
a detector for measuring photoluminescent emission by the solid solution,
wherein the solution comprises a transition metal capable of binding the at least one alkene and a photoluminescent polymer having an extended conjugated moiety, the metal and the conjugated moiety being electronically coordinated and forming a sensing locus, the solution having a distinct second photoluminescence emission profile upon electronic interaction between the sensing locus and the at least one alkene.
10. The sensor of claim 9 wherein at least one of the irradiation source and the detector is integrally formed with the solid solution.
11. The sensor of claim 9 , wherein the polymer is poly(vinyl phenyl ketone).
12. The sensor of claim 9 , wherein the transition metal is Ag(I).
13. The sensor of claim 9 , wherein the alkene is a gaseous alkene.
14. A sensor as claimed in claim 9 wherein the polymer is photoluminescent upon exposure of the solution to light at an emission-inducing wavelength.
15. A method of sensing an alkene, the method comprising:
providing a sensor in an environment that may contain at least one alkene, the sensor comprising a solid solution having a first photoluminescence emission profile, an irradiation source capable of directing photoluminescent emission by the solid solution, and a detector for measuring photoluminescent emission by the solid solution, the solid solution comprising a transition metal capable of binding the at least one alkene and a photoluminescent polymer having an extended conjugated moiety, the metal and the conjugated moiety being electronically coordinated and forming a sensing locus, the solution having a second photoluminescence emission profile upon electronic interaction between the sensing locus and the alkene;
exposing the sensor to light at an emission-inducing wavelength in the presence of the at least one alkene; and
observing a photoluminescence emission profile characteristic of the electronic interaction between the sensing locus and the at least one alkene.
16. A method of sensing an alkene as claimed in claim 15 wherein the polymer is poly(vinyl phenyl ketone).
17. A method of sensing an alkene as claimed in claim 15 wherein the transition metal is Ag(I).
18. A method of sensing an alkene as claimed in claim 15 wherein the alkene is a gaseous alkene.
19. A method of sensing an alkene as claimed in claim 15 wherein the alkene is ethylene.
20. A method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising the step of exposing the sensor to light at an emission-inducing wavelength, wherein the polymer is photoluminescent upon exposure of the solution to light at the emission-inducing wavelength.